30 Years!

Lash's Place- News and Events!

BY DAVID SMITH
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

In California, someone might visit a bird sanctuary or a marine sanctuary, but a human sanctuary like Lash's Place in San Mateo, would be a rarer find. At the barbershop, a customer or visitor can stop in to get a haircut, join in conversation, read a magazine, watch a game, give advice, get advice or maybe even find a job, as Doug Okimoto did. Lash Stevenson, the owner of the landmark, helped Okimoto get a job working construction.

Fortress of Solitude for many

It's like Superman's Fortress of Solitude for many. It holds a place in the hearts of its customers that only they can understand, as evidenced by the pennants, photos and letters that cover the walls. "This is Lash's Place," said Okimoto, trying to describe why he continues to come to the shop on Palm Avenue.

"It's fun here - good times."
Stevenson celebrated the 30th anniversary of Lash's Place on Friday. "My whole business has been about fun," he said.
The Downey, Calif., native began cutting hair in the seventh grade for 25 cents.
After stints in the Navy and at San Diego State University to play football, Stevenson got married, then used the GI Bill to attend Long Beach State University and learn how to cut hair.

A virtual hairstyling historian, Stevenson is dedicated to his craft, entering competitions and going to conventions. His method of choice is the "Markham haircut," which uses guidelines cut by the barber to ensure an even cut."The method is like baking a cake. If you follow the recipe, you'll get a good cake," he said.
In 1961, Stevenson was hanging out with rowdy friends at a Stanford fraternity when he had the idea for a

character named "Charley Foxe," a mischievous fox wearing an "RF" sweater that later and less obscenely stood for "rat-finking." From 1961 through 1965, he sold 50,000 decals of Charley Foxe.

Skills of a traveling salesman

At Lash's Place, Stevenson uses the skills and techniques learned during his decal days and as a traveling salesman. "If you're good at what you do and you treat people right, you can make money," the 67-year-old said. "I've been a people person all my life." Nearly everyone who walks through his front door is greeted by their first name, and there are the legends: Combat Kelly, Chicken Head and The Mad Russian, to name a few. Stevenson didn't see any reason to retire, and he has only missed a day and half of work - due to a broken collarbone and a hangover - since 1976. "I love my job so much I never miss work," he said. "I don't see any reason to slow down."